Overview

The introduction of new medicines has dramatically improved the quantityand quality of individual and public health while contributing trillions ofdollars to the global economy. In spite of these past successes—and indeedbecause of them—our ability to deliver new medicines may be quicklycoming to an end. Moving from the twentieth century to the present, APrescription for Change reveals how changing business strategies combinedwith scientific hubris have altered the way new medicines are discovered,with dire implications for both health and the economy. To explain how we have arrived at this pivotal moment, Michael S. Kinchrecounts the history of pharmaceutical and biotechnological advances in thetwentieth century, relating stories of the individuals and organizations thatushered in the modern era of translational medicine. He shows that an acceleratingcycle of acquisition and downsizing is cannibalizing the very infrastructurethat had fostered the introduction of innovative new medicines.As Kinch demonstrates, the dismantling of the pharmaceutical and biotechnologicalresearch and development enterprises could also provide opportunitiesto innovate new models that sustain and expand the introduction ofnewer and better breakthrough medicines in the years to come.

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9781469630625

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Reviews

Traces the history of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and describes the evolution of the scientific, regulatory, social, and marketing forces that are compromising contemporary drug developments . . . . Well explained and illustrated with useful anecdotes.--<i>Science Magazine</i>

An informative and fascinating read for anyone with an interest in the drug discovery process, scientists, healthcare professionals, investors, regulators, or those who just want to see our economy flourish and public health to be improved for the global benefit to society or just to protect an individual 401K plan. . . . Highly recommend this well-written book as a must read for anyone with the slightest interest in how the drug discovery process impacts our economy and public health.--Doody's Reviews

Traces the history of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries and describes the evolution of the scientific, regulatory, social, and marketing forces that are compromising contemporary drug developments . . . . Well explained and illustrated with useful anecdotes.--Science Magazine

Author Information

Michael S. Kinch is associate vice chancellor and director of the Center for Research Innovation in Biotechnology at Washington University in St. Louis.

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